Dispensing machine



Oct. 3, 1939. c. z. SUTTON 2,174,539

DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 1a, 1957 e Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Char/85Z 00% Jai /0x7 BY M ' ATTORNEY.

OcL. 3, 1939. c. z. SUTTON 2,174,539

' DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 18, 1957 e SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR.Char/e5 Z 00% 50/7077 ATTORNEY.

Oct. 3, 1939. c. z. SUTTON 2,174,539

DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 18, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet I5 I VENTOR.Char/e5 Z a0) Ju/fO/V ATTORNEY.

Oct. 3, 1939. c. z. SUTTON 2,174,539

DISPENSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 18, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 .ir-"IE 7-Char/es Z aoguf/on ATTORNEY.

Oct. 3, 1939. c. z. SUTTON 2,174,539

DISiENSING MACHINE Filed 0st. 18, 1957 6 sheets-sheet 6 INVENTOR.Char/e5 Z 00% 3/1/10/7 BY VMCLLW &

ATTORNEY.

25 an automatic dispensing mechanism which can Patented Oct. 3, 1939UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

My invention relates to machines of the character disclosed in thecopending application filed by myself and Otto M. Eash on September 22,1934, under the title Dispensing machine, and bearing Serial No.745,077. The present device relates to means for dispensing liquids inpredetermined quantities in response to individual actuation of thedispenser, but is especially directed to an improved form of the devicedisclosed in the mentioned copending application.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine for dispensingbeverages such as buttermilk, tomato juice, pineapple juice and thelike.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine for dispensing acontainer, such as a cup, which has freshly been filled with a beverage.

Another object of the invention is to efiect the filling of the cupwithin view of the purchaser but screened from contact by the purchaseruntil such time as the cup is filled.

Another object of the invention is continually to condition thebeverage, preferably by aeration, whether it is actually being dispensedor not.

, A further object of the invention is to provide cause no injury to auser.

The foregoing and other objects are attained in the embodiment of theinvention shown in the drawings, in which Fig. l is a front elevation ofthe principal mechanism of the dispensing machine constructed inaccordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line 33of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section showing in side elevation part of the spoutactuating mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a cross-section the plane of which is indicated by the line5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is in part a cross-section and in part a side elevation showingthe relationship of the gate actuating mechanism.

Fig. '7 is a detailed side elevation showing the mechanism forcontrolling the cup.

Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-section showing in plan the operation of thespout.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail showing a cam mechanism for thecup-releasing mechanism and the gate.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation showing the interconnection of the coinmechanism.

In its preferred form, the dispensing machine of my invention comprisesmeans for conditioning a beverage for dispensation, that is, aeratingit,

chilling it and agitating it, together with means actuated in responseto a predetermined impulse, such as the introduction. of a coin into themachine, for setting into motion mechanism for releasing a. containersuch as a cup, filling the container with a predetermined amount of thebeverage, and then rendering the filled cup accessible for withdrawalfrom the machine, all combined with mechanism effective after withdrawalof the filled cup from the machine, for restoring the parts to theiroriginal condition ready for a subsequent cycle of operation.

While the dispensing machine of my invention is of course susceptible ofembodiment in various diiferent forms, I have illustrated it herein asit has been successfully constructed in order to display and dispensefruit juice. Such beverages are in best condition for consumption whenthey are chilled somewhat from ordinary room temperature, and arefurther peculiar in that they usually contain sufficient solids thatcontinuous agitation is desirable in order that the homogeneity of thebeverage can be maintained. Furthermore, upon standing they tend to losetheir flavor and apparent freshness, so that some treatment is desirablein order that they can be maintained in optimum condition forconsumption over protracted time periods.

Since the general framework of a suitable dispensing machine, togetherwith the refrigeration or cooling mechanism and miscellaneous storagespace, is well shown in the above-identified cqpending application, and'since the present device is not concerned with such parts of thecomplete structure, they are not disclosed or described in detailherein. It is sufllcient to say that it is preferred that there beprovided, in some standard fashion, a means for maintaining a suitablesupply of the beverage to be dispensed, at a proper temperature.

In the upper portion of whatever enclosure or cabinet is utilized, thereis encompassed a main compartment i9 from which there is segregated adispensing compartment 21 bounded by a metal wall 22 and closed by agate 23, preferably of glass, which can rise and fall in guides 24 sothat the compartment M can be connected with or isolated from theexterior of the enclosing cabinet. Located just above the compartment 2!is a standard cup-dispensing reservoir and mechanism 26, of whichvarious types are commercially available, so that the mechanism is notdescribed in detail. Suflice it to say that the mechanism 26 includes acolumn 21 for. paper cups and is provided with an actuating lever 28which, when afforded a complete oscillation, dispenses a single cup andrestores the mechanism to condition for a subsequent operation.

In accordance with my invention, the beverage supply is continuallycirculated and aerated in order that it may be maintained in a palatableand homogeneous condition, but upon actuation of the machine apredetermined portion is dispensed into a cup situated within thecompartment 2|, after which the gate 23 is lifted so that the cup can bewithdrawn. Following this operation, the machine is restored to originalcondition.

To circulate the beverage, therefore, there is provided a pump of anysuitable character, there being illustrated in Fig. 2 a displacementpump, generally designated 29, communicating through a pipe 3| with aconnection 32 extending to the beverage reservoir and provided with asuitable nonreturn check valve. The pipe 3| likewise conmeets with anoutlet 34 having a suitable check valve to' prevent return flow andextending into the upper compartment |9 to terminate in a spout 36.

Within the pump 29 is fastened on a piston rod 39 is pivoted. The pitmanis connected to one end of a walking beam 42 fulcrumed on a centralsupport 43 secured to the framework 3, and at its opposite end connectedby a rod 44 to an eccentric 46. A through-shaft 48 carries the eccentric46 and is journaled in bearings 49 in a casting 45. The shaft 48 alsocarries a master gear 50 with which meshes a pinion 5| connectingthrough a suitable speed reducer 52 to a source of power, such as anelectric motor 53. Upon energization of the electric motor, the shaft 48is rotated and, through the intermediate mecha nism, the pump 29 isoperated, thus circulating beverage from the inlet 32 through the outlet34 and the spout 36. A return circuit is normally provided by a returntube 54 which leads to the beverage container. Since the motor 53 iscontinually energized during the operation of this structure, there is acontinual circulation of the beverage to be dispensed, to maintain itscondition uniform. Furthermore, the return tube 54, being somewhatlarger than and spaced from the outlet of the spout 36, is effectivelyutilized to entrain air with the returning beverage so that the beverageis continually aerated during its circulating cycle. This aeration iseffective to maintain the taste and character of the beverage uniform,even though it may have been in the machine for a protracted period.

When a drink is to be dispensed, a coin is introduced into a coin slot30| of a coin mechanism, various different types of which can beutilized, the major part of the one shown being as disclosed in PatentNo. 2,057,737, issued October 20, 1936. The coin travels through thecoin mechanism, past rejecting gates 302 for discarding spurious coins.These gates are actuated by levers 303 connected by a link 304 to amovement plate 306 mounted on the coin mechanism. Movement of the plate306 about a pivot point 301 is afforded by a connecting spring 308. Oneend of the spring is joined to a block 309 which is connected at oneside of the axis of the spring to a driving pin 3 on the eccentric 46.Similarly, the other end of the spring 308 is connected to a block 3l2joined by a. pin 3|3 to the plate 306 at a point to one side of the axisof the spring 308. If the mechanism should jam, the spring 308 bucklesor flexes until the jamming or stoppage is rectified and at the sametime a piston (not shown) to which a pitman 4| transmits the desiredamount of force, despite minor misalignment and minor operatingdiscrepancies.

A coin 3| 4 which has passed the gates 302 descends in a slot 3|5 to lieagainst a slide 3|6 which is connected to the driving plate 306. At anappropriate time in the operation of the cocentric 46, the slide 3 I6 isperiodically withdrawn, the coin 3|4 falls gravitally behind a lip 3|1on a lever 3| 8 and is subsequently propelled toward the left in Fig. 10by return movement of the slide '3l6. The forward movement of the coin314 depresses the lip 3" and rocks the lever 3|8 in a counter-clockwisedirection, as seen in Fig. 10. The coin continues through a chute 3|9 toa suitable receiving container (not shown). Movement of the lip 3|!downwardly not only moves the lever 3|8 but likewise, by engagement ofthe lip M! with a pivoted latch plate 32|, moves the latch plate so thata tooth 322 at one end thereof displaces and subsequently lies under aleg 323 on a latch 324. By operation of springs 326 and 321 the tooth322 is held under the lip 323; hence the mechanism cannot be againactuated by a subsequent coin until such time as a hook 328 at thebottom terminus of a rod 329 extending from the gate 23 and operated inaccordance therewith, has overridden a lever 33| projecting from thelatch 324 and released the tooth 322 from below the lip 323 so that theplate 32| could be restored to its original position in which theconstruction 3| 1 is again in the path of a coin 3| 4.

Rising movement of the lever 3|8 causes a pin 332 on a shaft 333 to movein an anti-clockwise direction. The shaft 333 carries a lever 334connected to a. latch lever 66 (see Fig. 4) The latch lever in turn isconnected to a lever 61 pivoted to control a unicycle clutch. The clutchincludes a lug 68 extending from the driving shaft 48 and which isengageable by a bell crank 69 having a pawl 1| at one end and anarcuating arm 12 at the other end. When the lever 61 is lifted, the pawl1| is enabled to engage with the lug 68 as the shaft 48 rotates underthe influence of the motor 63, so that the disc 13 to which the bellcrank is pivoted by the pin 14 is then 'joined to the shaft 48 and thetwo rotate in unison pend ing release of the pawl 1|.

This type of clutch and holding mechanism is utilized in order that thepump may be synchronized with theremaining operations of the machine.The clutch is so related that the pump has completed about half of itssuction stroke when the disc 13 is coupled to the driving shaft 48.

Further rotation of theshaft 48 causes unitary rotation therewith of thedisc 13, whereupon a cardioid cam groove 8|, stamped in the reverse faceof the disc 13, is effective to oscillate a lever 82 pivoted on thecasting 45 and carrying a cam follower pin 83 riding in the groove 8|.The lever 82 connects through a link 84 with a radial arm 86 on thedischarge pipe 34, so that the pipe is rotated sufficiently to swing thespout 36 from the full-line position shown in Fig. 8 into thedotted-line position shown in that figure in which it projects throughan aperture 81 in the cup support 26 and into a central position above acup previously deposited in the dispensing chamber 2|. The timing issuch that at about the time the spout is centrally located over the cup,the pump 50 begins its discharge stroke and discharges a volume ofbeverage into the receiving cup. At

the conclusion of the discharge stroke of the lever 32 and the link 34to swing the spout 33 back through the aperture 31 into the full-lineposition shown in Fig. 8. Any drip from the spout is caught by the tube54 and is returned to the beverage reservoir.

In accordance with the mechanism I have so far described, one cycle ofoperation of the pump is eiiective to discharge the beverage. into areceiving cup rather than back into the storage tank.

During the rotation of the disc 13, and at about the time the pumpbegins to discharge beverage into the waiting cup, a cam I3I iseffective to rock a lever I02, provided with a roller follower I03,thereby oscillating a shaft I04 on which the lever is mounted.Oscillation of this shaft produces oscillation of a lever I03 which isjoined by a link I 01 to a comparable lever I03 pivoted, as at I09, tothe casting. This movement lifts the lever I03 to permit a clutch leverIII, pivotally mounted on a disc I I2 by a pin I I3, to engage with adriving lug II4 carried on the shaft 43 to engage a pawl I1 located atthe extremity of the lever III.

When the disc 2 is coupled to the driving shaft, a cam groove II 3,stamped in the reverse face of the disc H2, is effective upon a followerpin II9 carried by a two-part lever I2I. One end of this lever ispivoted by a pin I22 to the casting, and the other end is provided witha slot I23 encompassing a pin I24 carried by a yoke I23. A pair of rodsI21 and I23, respectively, slidably mounted in the framework of themachine, are joined by the yoke I26 and by a cup guiding ring I29. Theshape of the cam groove H0 is such that when the disc H2 is rotated thelever I2I is actuated to lower the cup ring I29 against the framework ofthe mechanism during the first half of such rotation.

If for any reason the ring I29 should be obstructed in its loweringmovement, there is provided a yielding or buckling means in the leverI2I. This takes the form of the two parts of the lever, the parts beingconnected by a pivot pin I3I and by a spring I32 which is confinedbetween a perforated lip I33 on one part of the lever and a, fasteningdevice I34 at the extremity of a through pin I33 piercing an ear I31 onthe other portion of the lever.

Operating in conjunction with the disc I I2 is a pin I which operates inthe cam groove I I3 and is effective to oscillate a lever I42 inopposite directions. This lever arm is provided with a fulcrum I44 onthe main framework of the mechanism, and has an upper arm I43 providedwith a pin I45 extending through a loop I41 at the end of the rod 23 foractuating the standard cup dispenser. The location of the. pin I in thegroove I I3 is such that during the first half rotation of the disc II2there is no effect upon the lever I43, but during the last half of therotation of the disc the actuator 23 is given an oscillatory cycle inorder to release a single cup and to return to original position.

Also mounted to turn with the disc I I2 is a cam disc I54, particularlyshown in Figs. 3 and 6, which carries a cam groove I53 within whichoperates a follower pin I51 projecting from a lever I53, one end ofwhich is mounted on a pin I22 projecting from the framework of themachine and the other end of which is provided with a slot ISIencompassing a pin I32 projecting from a crosshead I63 in turn joining apair of parallel rods I34 slid'ably mounted in apertures in the mainframework of the machine and at their upper end joined to the gate 23.

During the first half of the rotation of the disc I54, the gate 23 islifted to afford unobstructed access from the exterior into thecompartment 2|. The reverse movement of the gate 23 occurs during thelatter half of the rotation of the disc I54, so that the gate isreturned to closed posi; tion cutting oil. connection from the exteriorto the compartment 2 I.

In the event an obstruction should present itself beneath the gate 23,there is provided a yielding means for precluding injury to theobstruction and to the mechanism. This comprises a spring I61 which isconfined between an ear I33 on one part of the lever I53-and a fasteningmeans I33 carried on a bolt I1I mounted on an ear I12 projecting fromthe other portion of the lever I53.

Since the two parts of the lever are connected by a pivot pin I13, thereis afforded a yielding connection, which permits buckling of the leverunder urgency of a force superior to that of the spring I31.

-When the cam IOI contacts the roller I03 and, through the lever I02,oscillates the shaft I04, not only is the lever I03 lifted to cause engament of the clutch pawl II1, but likewise the lever I 03 is liftedthereby interposing a projection I14 in the path of the arm III. Whenthe disc II2 makes approximately one-half of a rotation, the lever IIIcontacts the projection I14 and the pawl I I1 is withdrawn from the lugII4, thereby disengaging the driving shaft 43 from the discs H2 and I H.Both of these discs therefore make a half rotation before they areinterrupted in their movement. Also atthe time the levers I05 and I03are originally lifted, a shoulder I11 on the intermediate link I01lodges on a latch lever I15. This mechanism therefore latches or holdsthe discs H2 and MI in half cycle position indefinitely.

In order that the operation of the machine will not be completed untilsuch time as a filled cup has been manually removed from the compartment2 I, but will complete its operation promptly after such removal, thereis provided means responsive to the weight of a filled cup for governingthe operation of the clutch levers I03 and I33. To this end, the bottomof the compartment 2I is provided with a platform 20I which isvertically movable together with supporting rods 232 reciprocable insuitable guides in the framework of the machine. A pin 203 mountedin acrosshead 204 joined to the rods 202 is connected to one end of a lever208 at its centerpivoted on a fulcrum 209 and at its opposite endconnected by a link 2 to a bell crank 2I2. The lever 203 is urged intouppermost position by a coil spring 2l3, while the bell crank 2l2 isprovided with a pin 2l4 operat ng in a slot 2I5 in the upper end of thelever I13. A lever 2I0, pivoted on the framework of the machine,connects to a crosshead 2I5 joined to the rods 202 to provide a parallelmotion with the lever 203.

In the event liquid should be spilled within the compartment 2|, itdrains through a tube 223 into a receiving cup mounted on a lever 225for actuating an electrical switch 230 which opens the circuit to theelectric motor 53 and stops the machine instantly.

As the cup which rests on the platform 2" is being filled, it increasesin weight until it overcomes the opposing force of the spring 2I3, atwhich time the bell crank 2 I2 is oscillated to bring the pin 2 to theend of the slot 2I3. The link III! is positively retained in liftedposition, thereby holding the pawl- I I1 disengaged due to contactbetween the lever II I and the pawl I I4. When, however, the filled cupis removed from the platform 2, the then superior force of the spring2I3 not only removes the pin 2 from the end of the slot 2I6 but retractsthe lever I16 from v ther rotation which is substantially beneath theshoulder III, thereby permitting the link I 01 and the pawl I" to becomedisengaged from the arm I I I and the lever I08 to return to itsoriginal position. The discs H2 and I H are therefore coupled to thedriving shaft 48 for fura half revolution or until such time as the armIII again contacts the pawl on the lever I08 and the pawl I I1 isdisengaged from the lug III. During the last half of the rotation of thediscs H2 and I, the ring I29 is raised to an extreme upper position, atwhich time the cup dispenser is actuated, thereby releasing a cup intothe ring which lowers it to an intermediate position while the dispenseris being restored to its normal position. All of this occurs while thegate 23 is being lowered from its upper position to its lowermostposition, so that all of the parts are restored to their originalposition.

In the ordinary operation of the machine, the beverage is continuallycirculated in order that it can be aerated to maintain its flavor and inorder to maintain its homogeneous character. The gate 23 is ordinarilyclosed, in order to isolate the interior of the machine from itssurroundings. A cup is in position ready to receive a charge of beverageand is partially confined by the supporting ring I 29. The platform 20!is in a raised position while the spout 36 is returning the circulatingbeverage to the reservoir and is ejecting the beverage so that itentrains air with it and is aerated as it returns into the tube SI. Uponthe introduction of a coin, the spout 36 swings over the cup anddischarges a predetermined quantity of beverage thereinto. At thecompletion of this charging operation the gate 23 risesto aiford accessto the filled cup which has sunk with the platform "I to hold themechanism inoperative for an indeterminate period. In the meantime thespout 36 has returned to its inoperative position, and the supportingring I29 has descended into contact with the floor of the compartment2I. When the filled cup is withdrawn from the compartment H, theplatform 2M again rises, the gate 23 gradually descends into closedposition, the supporting ring I29 rises to its uppermost position andthere receives a cup simultaneously releasdi'rom the dispensingmechanism which is then restored to inactive position. Following this,the supporting ring I29 .returns to an intermediate position. The entirestructure has then completed a cycle and is ready for a subsequentoperation.

I claim:

1. A dispensing machine comprising a cup magazine, means for releasing acup from said magazine, means for filling said cup with a fluid, andmeans responsive to failure 01' said cup to re.-

ceive said fluid for preventing further operation of said machine.

2. A dispensing machine comprising a normally closed compartment, meansincluding a movable spout for circulating liquid in a circuit outside ofsaid compartment, means for moving said spout into said compartment fordischarging liquid therein, and means for entraining air with liquiddischarged from said spout outside of said compartment.

3. A dispensing machine comprising a movable spout, means periodicallyeffective in regular cycles during the operation of the machine fordischarging liquid from said spout, and means effective to receiveliquid discharged from said spout together with entrained air for ,retumto said spout.

4. A dispensing machine including a liquid supply tank, comprising meansincluding a movable spout for circulating liquid from said tank in aclosed circuit, means for positioning a cup in a predetermined location,and means for moving said spout to interrupt discharge of said liquidinto said cup and to return said liquid to said tank together withentrained air.

5. A dispensing machine comprising a source of liquid to be dispensed,means for circulating said liquid from said source through a circuitreturning to said source, a spout, a return pipe in line with said spoutand included in said circuit for entraining air therein, and meansoperating in time with said circulating means for moving said spout andsaid return pipe out of communication to interrupt the aeration of saidliquid.

6. A dispensing machine comprising a source of liquid to be dispensed,means including a spout and a return pipe normally in communication butwith an air space therebetween providing a closed circuit forcirculation of said liquid from and to said source, means forcirculating said liquid through said circuit in successive cycles toentrain air therein from said air space, and meanseflfective betweensaid cycles for moving said spout to interrupt entrainment of air.

7. A dispensing machine comprising a source of liquid to be dispensed,means including a spout and a return pipe normally in communication butwith an air space theretbetween providing a closed circuit forcirculation of said liquid from and to said source, and means forcirculating said liquid through said circuit in successive cycles toentrain air therewith.

8. A dispensing machine comprising a cup magazine, means for releasing acup from said magazine, means below said magazine for supporting saidreleased cup, a return tube extending to a source of liquid, a spoutextending from said source oi. liquid movable from a position over saidreturn tube into a position between said magazine and said released cupfor discharging into said cup, and means responsive to discharge ofliquid into the space below said magazine but not into said cup forinterrupting the operation of said machine.

CHARLES ZOOK SU'I'I'ON.

